The Pokémon Go Plus peripheral has a few basic functions: it can track your movement and count the kilometers you walk, it can collect items from pokéstops, and you can catch pokémon without having to pull out your phone / open the app.

Once you’ve paired the Plus device with your Pokémon Go app, simply leave the app running in the background.

The Pokémon Go Plus is capable of automatically engaging and potentially catching pokémon you’ve already caught, instead of requiring you to interact with the smartphone app.

When you encounter a pokémon, your Pokémon GO Plus will vibrate and a green light will show. Pressing the button on the plus will throw a poké ball. Every time the poké ball shakes, the device will vibrate and flash white. If the Plus then flashes multiple colors, the pokémon has been caught. If it flashes red, then the pokémon escaped.

This is the biggest feature Pokemon Go Plus brings to players. Not only will you not have to stare at your screen while walking, but the app won’t even have to be actively running! Simply open the app, sign into Pokemon Go, and put your device on screen lock to save battery power. The Pokemon Go Plus will still notify you of nearby Pokemon and PokeStops, allowing you to simply click the button to catch Pokemon or collect items.

Instead of a green light and single repeating vibration, if the Pokemon is one you haven't caught before a yellow light with three consecutive vibrations will occur. Though the simple click-a-button-to-catch-a-Pokemon function will potentially work, it's a good idea to use your phone instead, for a better chance to catch. Keep in mind that pressing the button only throws a Poke Ball, which does not guarantee a capture. If successful, the Pokemon Go Plus will vibrate and flash a variety of colors, if failed, the Plus will flash red. The Pokmon Go Plus is only capable of using Poke Balls, and will blink red if you're out. If you want to use a Razz Berry? You’ll have to use your phone for that.

According to Reddit user /u/c-a-m-i and The Silph Road, Pokemon Go Plus will track distance traveled while the phone is locked with the app running in the background, contradictory to Nintendo's previous announcement. This image below, courtesy of The Silph Road, compiles new information gathered by users with early access to the Pokemon Go Plus.

Pokemon Go Plus Will Not alert Players of Pokemon Attracted by Incense[edit]

Unfortunately you'll need to keep your phone out for that. However, it will alert players of Pokemon spawned by Lure Modules.

If purchasing a Pokemon Go Plus, make sure to update the Pokemon Go App and update your smart device. From Nintendo: ''To use the Pokémon GO Plus device with the Pokémon GO app, by Niantic Inc, an app update is required. Pokémon GO Plus is compatible with the following operating systems:

The Pokemon Go game itself has been updated multiple times to include new features, and still has plenty more to come. But will the Pokemon Go Plus’s software be updated with new features in the future as well?